Yes, Kayenta still has a vet

Navajo Times | Cindy YurthDr. Jim Eubank examines a steer at the veterinary clinic at Monument Valley High School in Kayenta.

Like Mark Twain, who famously remarked, “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated” after seeing his own obituary in a newspaper, Jim Eubank has been hearing lots of rumors about himself.

“I got sick, I retired, I left the area … all kinds of things,” said the Kayenta veterinarian, shaking his head.

“I didn’t go anywhere. I actually put in on Facebook so people would know I’m still here.” The truth is, Eubank is still working at the veterinary clinic at Monument Valley High School, like before. It’s just that, instead of Kayenta Township paying his salary, the Northeast Arizona Technological Institute of Vocational Education is.

NATIVE, which sponsors the vet tech program at the high school, also springs for the clinic’s medicine and equipment.

The school will pay for a half-time receptionist, who has yet to be hired … currently the vet tech is doing double duty at the front desk, which leaves her a little frazzled.

In exchange, Eubank teaches a veterinary medical practices course, which he also beams to Red Mesa High School, and NATIVE gets a cut of any money the clinic makes to reinvest in the program. Once a month Eubank travels to one of the other NATIVE schools and gives a workshop.

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About Author

Cindy Yurth is the Tséyi' Bureau reporter, covering the Central Agency of the Navajo Nation. Her other beats include agriculture and Arizona state politics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in technical journalism from Colorado State University with a cognate in geology. She has been in the news business since 1980 and with the Navajo Times since 2005, and is the author of “Exploring the Navajo Nation Chapter by Chapter.” She can be reached at cyurth@navajotimes.com.